Sam Fender has handed over the entirety of his £25,000 honor cash to the MVT, which works to protect the Britain's independent music venues.
He was presented with the prize on mid-October as his new release his work was declared the best record of the previous year.
Fender has opted to give the cash to the MVT, in appreciation of the vital role small stages had in his initial steps.
"I wouldn't be doing what I am doing today if it hadn't been for all the gigs I performed around the region, and beyond, when I was starting out," remarked the artist. "These spaces are iconic, but they are facing challenges."
Beginning in 2023, at least 150 of these venues have permanently closed – roughly 16% of the entire UK sector.
In the last year, top acts such as Pulp, the group Coldplay, Katy Perry and Ed Sheeran have all aided the trust in its attempts to help venues survive, by applying a small levy to their ticket costs, which benefits independent venues.
Sam Fender also participated, collecting more than £100,000 on his 2024 arena tour to assist thirty-eight local spots across England, Scotland, and Wales.
These funds assisted locations that were facing imminent closure due to difficulties arising from water damage, fires and family tragedies, as well as licensing issues, legal disputes and noise complaints.
Other venues received funding support in modernizing amenities and gear that directly benefitted musicians and fans.
"The notion that revenue from shows in big venues backs the smaller venues, where it all starts for performers like me, is just sensible," Sam Fender has said.
Fender is not the first artist to contribute his honor funds to worthy causes.
When Pulp earned the award in 1996 for their record the album, lead singer the singer announced that the act would donate their prize money to the charity War Child.
During 2002, artist Ms Dynamite shared her award among multiple good causes, like the NSPCC and a Sickle Cell charity.
"Additionally, I contributed a £1,000 to the center, to their gymnastics class, because I did gymnastics when I was growing up and they needed updated gear," the artist explained to the media.
Two years ago, Ezra Collective gave their winnings to the community center that nurtured their group, as well as other independent music bodies.
Also winners that year they donated their award to a MS organization after a close contact was identified with the illness.
"Winning was ample," said vocalist Small. "The money was the extra but we could do without the bonus, because we had the main prize. So our victory touched another person's life."
Last week, the MVT shared it had rescued two local spots in that region, by bringing them into community ownership.
The first in that area and the second in Bristol were acquired under the community ownership program, which is funded by the arts council and enthusiasts who purchase "stakes" in the venues.
